OSCPA member recognized as YWCA Woman of Achievement

By Jessica Salerno-Shumaker, OSCPA senior content manager  

A’Shira Nelson, CPA, was recently named a 2023 YWCA Greater Cleveland Woman of Achievement, making her the only accountant on the honoree list this year.   

“I am actively working to empower women to live own their life and own their finances,” she said. “The YWCA mission encompasses everything I'm trying to accomplish.”  

The YWCA mission to eliminate racism, empower women and end homelessness resonates with Nelson, who also serves on the OSCPA Board of Directors. In addition to working as a tax manager and director at Wellspring Financial Advisors, Nelson also runs her own personal finance website, Savvy Girl Money.   

“It's cool to represent the accounting and finance industry,” she said. “They haven't always had someone representing the accounting profession, so I am very honored.”  

Nelson said the award is a reminder to her that even when you feel you aren’t reaching your goals as quickly as you’d like, there are others out there who are watching and noticing your hard work.  

She acknowledged many people are having financial issues in the current economic climate, and she began to wonder if she should pause her focus on Savvy Girl Money until things were more positive.  

“But this recognition helped reignite me,” she said. “It validated that this is what I should be doing and this is what drives me. This is my purpose.”  

She said she shared with her network on LinkedIn how surprised and humbled she was to receive the award, and the encouraging feedback she received made her realize her work is making a meaningful difference in peoples’ lives.  

“My advice to others would be to take it one day at a time but keep moving forward,” she said. “Even if you feel like nobody is watching.”